I. PURPOSE

This notice modifies the rules in Notice 2005-76, 2005-2 C.B.
947, for determining the amount of income tax employers must withhold
under section 3402 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) from wages
paid for services performed by nonresident alien employees within
the United States. The modification is effective with respect to
wages paid on or after January 1, 2010.

Notice 2005-76 provides rules for determining the amount of
withholding on wages paid to nonresident alien employees. These rules
need to be modified to reflect changes made in the withholding tables
as a result of the enactment of section 36A of the Code (the “Making
Work Pay Tax Credit”) in the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (Public Law No. 111-5) (ARRA). Nonresident alien individuals
are not eligible for the Making Work Pay Tax Credit under section
36A. The modified rules provide for withholding on the wages of nonresident
alien employees that more closely approximates their income tax liability.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Income Tax Withholding on Wages of Nonresident Alien Employees

Generally, employers are liable for the withholding of income
tax on remuneration for services performed within the United States
by a nonresident alien employee. Section 3402(a)(1) of the Code provides
that, except as otherwise provided in section 3402, every employer
making a payment of wages shall deduct and withhold from such wages
a tax determined in accordance with tables or computational procedures
prescribed by the Secretary. Section 3402(a)(1) further provides
that any tables or procedures prescribed under section 3402(a)(1)
shall be in such form, and provide for such amounts to be deducted
and withheld, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry
out the purposes of chapter 1 (imposition of individual income tax).

Income tax withholding tables in Publication 15, (Circular
E) Employer’s Tax Guide, for use with the percentage
and wage bracket methods of withholding, are based on the assumption
that the employee receiving the wages is entitled to a standard deduction
in determining his or her income tax liability. However, in the case
of a nonresident alien individual, section 63(c)(6)(B) provides that
the standard deduction shall be zero. Notice 2005-76 addresses this
difference in treatment by directing an employer to add an amount
to the wages of a nonresident alien employee solely for purposes of
calculating the income tax withholding for each payroll period.

B. Making Work Pay Tax Credit

Section 36A, which was added to the Code by the ARRA, provides
a credit against income tax to an eligible individual in an amount
equal to the lesser of (1) 6.2 percent of earned income, or (2) $400
($800 in the case of a joint return). The credit is reduced or completely
eliminated for individuals with modified adjusted gross income exceeding
threshold amounts. Section 36A(d)(1)(A)(i) provides that an eligible
individual for purposes of section 36A does not include a nonresident
alien individual. As currently enacted, the Making Work Pay Tax Credit
does not apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.
See section 36A(e). Under the ARRA, taxpayers’
reduced tax liability under the provision is expeditiously implemented
through revised income tax withholding. See H.R.
Conf. Rep. 111-16, 111th Cong., 1st Sess. (2009) at 517. Accordingly, the income tax
withholding tables have been revised to take the Making Work Pay Tax
Credit into account in determining the amount of income tax to be
withheld.

The income tax withholding tables reflect two tax benefits for
which nonresident alien employees are not eligible: (1) the standard
deduction; and (2) the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. If adjustments
from the generally applicable procedures for using the income tax
withholding tables are not made in determining income tax withholding
for nonresident alien employees, the withholding on the wages of such
employees will generally be less than their tax liability. This notice
modifies the rules for employers to use in calculating income tax
withholding on nonresident alien employees to offset the effects of
both the standard deduction and Making Work Pay Tax Credit as assumed
under the withholding tables.

The modification applies only to the procedure used by employers
in calculating income tax withholding on wages paid to nonresident
alien employees as set forth in part III.B. of Notice 2005-76. The
requirements in Notice 2005-76 (part III.A.) relating to the completion
of Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, by nonresident alien employees, continue in effect.

III. WITHHOLDING RULES THAT WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR NONRESIDENT
ALIEN EMPLOYEES ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010

Beginning with wages paid on or after January 1, 2010, employers
are required to calculate income tax withholding under section 3402
of the Code on wages of nonresident alien employees by making two
modifications rather than the one modification described in Notice
2005-76 (part III.B). First, employers need to add an amount to wages
before determining withholding under the wage bracket or percentage
method in order to offset the standard deduction built into the withholding
tables. Second, employers need to determine an additional amount
of withholding from a separate table applicable only to nonresident
alien employees to offset the effect of the Making Work Pay Tax Credit
built into the withholding tables. The specific steps to be followed
for each of these two modifications will be set forth in Publication
15 and other IRS forms or publications.

IV. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS

Notice 2005-76 is modified for wages paid after December 31,
2009, during any period when the Making Work Pay Tax Credit provided
under section 36A is in effect.

V. DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this notice is Alfred G. Kelley of the
Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt & Government Entities).
For further information regarding this notice, contact Alfred G.
Kelley at (202) 622-6040 (not a toll-free call).